<b>Forage cactus (<em>Opuntia ficus indica</em> Mill) and urea in replacement of tifton hay (<em>Cynodon</em> spp) in lactating Holstein cows diet. 1. Digestibility</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v28i2.638

Abstract

The effect of five levels forage cactus and urea (0.0, 12.5, 25.0, 37.5 and 50%) in replacement of tifton hay in lactating Holstein cows diets, on the apparent digestibility of dry matter (ADDM), organic matter (ADOM), neutral detergent fiber (ADNDF), crude protein (ADCP), total carbohydrates (ADTC) and nonfiber carbohydrates (ADNFC) were evaluated. Five Holstein cows weighing on average 480 kg and with an average milk yield of 20 kg of milk/day were used in a 5x5 Latin square design. The DM, OM, TC and NFC apparent digestibility increased while NDF apparent digestibility decreased linearly and the CP apparent digestibility was not affected by the inclusion of forage cactus and urea. The total digestible nutrients of maintenance, digestible energy of lactation, metabolizing energy of lactation and liquid energy of lactation increased as the forage cactus and urea levels increased.